Alpha-sulfin-and alpha-sulfonamino acid amides

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to α-sulfin- and α-sulfonamino acid amides of the general formula I  
                 
 
     including the optical isomers thereof and mixtures of such isomers,  
     wherein  
     n is a number zero or one;  
     R 1  is C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 1 -C 12 alkyl substituted with C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, C 1 -C 4 alkylsulfonyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, cyano, C 1 -C 6 alkoxycarbonyl, C 3 -C 6 alkenyloxycarbonyl or C 3 -C 6 alkynyloxycarbonyl; C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl; C 2 -C 12 alkenyl; C 2 -C 12 alkynyl; C 1 -C 12 haloalkyl; or a group NR 12 R 13  wherein R 12  and R 13  are each independently of the other hydrogen or C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, or together are tetra- or penta-methylene;  
     R 2  and R 3  are each independently hydrogen; C 1 -C 8 alkyl; C 1 -C 8 alkyl substituted with hydroxy, mercapto, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy or C 1 -C 4 alkylthio; C 3 -C 8 alkenyl; C 3 -C 8 alkynyl; C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl;  
     C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl-C 1 -C 4 alkyl; or the two groups R 2  and R 3  together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded form a three- to eight-membered hydrocarbon ring;  
     R 4 , R 5 , R 6  and R 7  are each independently hydrogen or C 1 -C 4 alkyl;  
     R 8  is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 3 -C 6 alkenyl or C 3 -C 6 alkynyl;  
     R 9 , R 10 , R 14 , R 15 , R 16  and R 17  are each independently hydrogen or C 1 -C 4 alkyl;  
     A is optionally substituted phenyl, and  
     to the preparation of those substances and to agrochemical compositions comprising at least one of those compounds as active ingredient. The invention relates also to the preparation of the said compositions and to the use of the compounds or of the compositions in controlling or preventing the infestation of plants by phytopathogenic microorganisms, especially fungi.

[0001] The present invention relates to novel α-sulfin- and α-sulfonamino acid amides of formula I below. It relates to the preparation of those substances and to agrochemical compositions comprising at least one of those compounds as active ingredient. The invention relates also to the preparation of the said compositions and to the use of the compounds or of the compositions in controlling or preventing the infestation of plants by phytopathogenic microorganisms, especially fungi.

[0002] The invention relates to α-sulfin- and α-sulfonamino acid amides of the general formula I

[0003] including the optical isomers thereof and mixtures of such isomers,

[0004] wherein

[0005] n is a number zero or one;

[0006] R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkyl substituted with C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylsulfonyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, cyano, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxycarbonyl or C₃-C₆alkynyloxycarbonyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, or together are tetra- or penta-methylene;

[0007] R₂ and R₃ are each independently hydrogen; C₁-C₈alkyl; C₁-C₈alkyl substituted with hydroxy, mercapto, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄alkylthio; C₃-C₈alkenyl; C₃-C₈alkynyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl;

[0008] C₃-C₈cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄alkyl; or the two groups R₂ and R₃ together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded form a three- to eight-membered hydrocarbon ring;

[0009] R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl;

[0010] R₈ is C₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₆alkenyl or C₃-C₆alkynyl;

[0011] R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆ and R₁₇ are each independently hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl;

[0012] A is optionally substituted phenyl.

[0013] The above definition the phenyl group of radical A may carry one or more identical or different substituents. Normally not more than three substituents are present at the same time. Examples of the phenyl group are: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, phenyl and phenyl-alkyl, it being possible in turn for all of the preceding groups to carry one or more identical or different halogen atoms; alkoxy; alkenyloxy; alkynyloxy; alkoxyalkyl; haloalkoxy, alkylthio; haloalkylthio; alkylsulfonyl; formyl; alkanoyl; hydroxy; halogen; cyano; nitro; amino; alkylamino; dialkylamino; carboxy; alkoxycarbonyl; alkenyloxycarbonyl; alkynyloxycarbonyl.

[0014] In the above definitions “halogen” includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

[0015] The alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl radicals may be straight-chain or branched. This applies also to the alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl parts of other alkyl-, alkenyl- or alkynyl-containing groups.

[0016] Depending upon the number of carbon atoms mentioned, alkyl on its own or as part of another substituent is to be understood as being, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl and the isomers thereof, for example isopropyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl or sec-butyl, isopentyl or tert-pentyl.

[0017] Cycloalkyl is, depending upon the number of carbon atoms mentioned, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl.

[0018] Depending upon the number of carbon atoms mentioned, alkenyl as a group or as a structural element of other groups is to be understood as being, for example, vinyl, allyl, 1-propenyl, buten-2-yl, buten-3-yl, penten-1-yl, penten-3-yl, hexen-1-yl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl or 4-methyl-3-hexenyl.

[0019] Alkynyl as a group or as a structural element of other groups is, for example, ethynyl, propyn-1-yl, propyn-2-yl, butyn-1-yl, butyn-2-yl, 1-methyl-2-butynyl, hexyn-1-yl, 1-ethyl-2-butynyl or octyn-1-yl.

[0020] A haloalkyl group may contain one or more (identical or different) halogen atoms, and for example stands for CHCl₂, CH₂F, CCl₃, CH₂Cl, CHF₂, CF₃, CH₂CH₂Br, C₂Cl₅, CH₂Br, CHClBr, CF₃CH₂, etc.

[0021] Where R₂ and R₃ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a hydrocarbon ring the ring corresponds to cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane or cyclooctane

[0022] The presence of at least one asymmetric carbon atom and/or at least one asymmetric oxidized sulfur atom in the compounds of formula I means that the compounds may occur in optically isomeric forms. As a result of the presence of a possible aliphatic C═C double bond, geometric isomerism may also occur. Formula I is intended to include all those possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof.

[0023] Preferred subgroups of compounds of formula I are those wherein

[0024] n is one; or

[0025] R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkyl substituted with C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄alkylthio, or C₁-C₄alkylsulfonyl; C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, or together are tetra- or penta-methylene; or

[0026] R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl; or

[0027] R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl, C₂-C₄alkenyl; C₁-C₄haloalkyl; or C₁-C₂-dialkylamino; or

[0028] R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl, vinyl; C₁-C₄haloalkyl; or dimethylamino; or

[0029] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₁-C₈alkyl; C₁-C₈alkyl substituted with hydroxy, mercapto, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄alkylthio; C₃-C₈alkenyl; C₃-C₈alkynyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄alkyl; or

[0030] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₁-C₄alkyl; C₃-C₄alkenyl or cyclopropyl; or

[0031] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₃-C₄alkyl; allyl or cyclopropyl; or

[0032] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is isopropyl; or

[0033] R₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; or

[0034] R₄ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; or

[0035] R₄ is hydrogen or methyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; or

[0036] R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; or

[0037] R₈ is C₁-C₆alkyl; or

[0038] R₈ is methyl or ethyl; or

[0039] R₈ is methyl; or

[0040] R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each independently hydrogen or methyl; or

[0041] R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each hydrogen; or

[0042] A is phenyl, optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl wherein the hydrogens of all the preceding substituents may be in turn optionally substituted by one or several same or different halogens; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₃-C₈-alkenyloxy; C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; C₁-C₈-alkylsulfonyl; formyl; C₂-C₈-alkanoyl; hydroxy; halogen; cyano; nitro; amino; C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-dialkylamino; carboxy; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-alkenyloxycarbonyl or C₁-C₈-alkynyloxycarbonyl; or

[0043] A is phenyl, optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl wherein the hydrogens of all the preceding substituents may be in turn optionally substituted by one or several same or different halogens; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; halogen; cyano; nitro or C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; or

[0044] A is phenyl, optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-haloalkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; halogen; cyano; nitro or C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl.

[0045] Further preferred subgroups of the compounds of formula I are those wherein

[0046] R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkyl substituted with C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄alkylthio, or C₁-C₄alkylsulfonyl; C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, or together are tetra- or penta-methylene; and

[0047] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₁-C₈alkyl; C₁-C₈alkyl substituted with hydroxy, mercapto, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄alkylthio; C₃-C₈alkenyl; C₃-C₈alkynyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄alkyl; and

[0048] R₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; or those wherein

[0049] n is one; and

[0050] R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl; and

[0051] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₁-C₄alkyl; C₃-C₄alkenyl or cyclopropyl; and

[0052] R₄ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; and

[0053] R₈ is C₁-C₆alkyl; or those wherein

[0054] n is one; and

[0055] R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl, C₂-C₄alkenyl; C₁-C₄haloalkyl; or C₁-C₂-dialkylamino; and

[0056] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₃-C₄alkyl; allyl or cyclopropyl; and

[0057] R₄ is hydrogen or methyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; and

[0058] R₈ is methyl or ethyl; or those wherein

[0059] n is one; and

[0060] R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl, vinyl; C₁-C₄haloalkyl; or dimethylamino; and

[0061] R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is isopropyl; and

[0062] R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; and

[0063] R₈ is methyl.

[0064] Amongst the above preferred subgroups of compounds of formula I in turn those are preferred wherein

[0065] R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each independently hydrogen or methyl; and

[0066] A is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl wherein the hydrogens of all the preceding substituents may be in turn optionally substituted by one or several same or different halogens; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₃-C₈-alkenyl; C₃-C₈-alkynyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; C₁-C₈-alkylsulfonyl; formyl; C₂-C₈-alkanoyl; hydroxy; halogen; cyano; nitro; amino; C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-dialkylamino; carboxy; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-alkenyloxycarbonyl or C₁-C₈-alkynyloxycarbonyl; or those wherein

[0067] R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each hydrogen; and

[0068] A is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl wherein the hydrogens of all the preceding substituents may be in turn optionally substituted by one or several same or different halogens; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; halogen; cyano; nitro or C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; or those wherein

[0069] R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each hydrogen; and

[0070] A is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-haloalkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; halogen; cyano; nitro or C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl.

[0071] Preferred individual compounds are:

[0072] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-4-pentanoylamide,

[0073] (R,S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,

[0074] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,

[0075] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,

[0076] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-acetamide,

[0077] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,

[0078] (S)-2-methanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide,

[0079] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-butyramide, and

[0080] (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-butyramide,

[0081] Certain α-sulfin- and α-sulfonamino acid derivatives having a different kind of structure have already been proposed for controlling plant-destructive fungi (for example in WO 95/030651, WO 98/38160 and WO 98/38161). The action of those preparations is not, however, satisfactory in all aspects of agricultural needs. Surprisingly, with the compound structure of formula I, a new group of microbicides having a high level of activity have been found.

[0082] The α-sulfin- and α-sulfonamino acid amides of formula I may be obtained according to one of the following processes:

[0083] An amino acid of formula II or a carboxy-activated derivative of an amino acid of formula II wherein R₁, n, R₂ and R₃ are as defined for formula I is reacted with an amine of formula III wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A are as defined above optionally in the presence of a base and optionally in the presence of a diluting agent (step B). Carboxy-activated derivatives of the amino acid of formula II encompasses all compounds having an activated carboxyl group like an acid halide, such as an acid chloride, like symmetrical or mixed anhydrides, such as mixed anhydrides with O-alkylcarbonates, like activated esters, such as p-nitrophenylesters or N-hydroxysucinimidesters, as well as in situ produced activated forms of the amino acid of formula II by condensating agents, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimid, carbonyldiimidazol, benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, O-benzotriazol-1-yl N,N,N′,N′-bis(pentamethylene)-uronium hexafluorophosphate, O-benzotriazol-1-yl N,N,N′,N′-bis(tetramethylene)uronium hexafluorophosphate, O-benzotriazol-1-yl N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate or benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tripyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate. The mixed anhydrides of the amino acids of the formula II may be prepared by reaction of an amino acid of formula II with chloroformic acid esters like chloroformic acid alkylesters, such as ethyl chloroformate or isobutyl chloroformate, optionally in the presence of an organic or inorganic base like a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine, N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine, pyridine, n-methyl-piperidine or N-methyl-morpholin.

[0084] The present reaction is preferably performed in an inert solvent like aromatic, non-aromatic or halogenated hydrocarbons, such as chlorohydrocarbons e.g. dichloromethane or toluene; ketones, e.g. acetone; esters, e.g. ethyl acetate; amides, e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide; nitrites e.g. acetonitrile; or ethers e.g. diethylether, tert-butyl-methylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofurane or water. It is also possible to use mixtures of these solvents. The reaction is preformed optionally in the presence of an organic or inorganic base like a tertiary amine, e.g. triethylamine, N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine, pyridine, n-methyl-piperidine or N-methyl-morpholine, like a metal hydroxide or a metal carbonate, preferentially an alkali hydroxide or an alkali carbonate, such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide at temperatures ranging from −80° C. to +150° C., preferentially at temperatures ranging from −40° C. to +40° C.

[0085] The compounds of formula II may be prepared by reaction of an amino acid of formula IV where R₂ and R₃ are as defined for formula I with a sulfonyl halide or a sulfinyl halide of formula V where R₁ and n have the same meanings as defined above and where X is halide, preferentially chlorine or bromine (step A).

[0086] The reaction may be performed in an inert solvent like aromatic, non-aromatic or halogenated hydrocarbons, such as chlorohydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane or toluene; ketones, e.g. acetone; esters, e.g. ethyl acetate; ethers, e.g. diethylether, tert-butyl-methylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofurane or water. It is also possible to use mixtures of these solvents. The reaction is performed optionally in the presence of an organic or inorganic base like a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine, N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine, pyridine, n-methyl-piperidine or N-methyl-morpholine, like a metal hydroxide or a metal carbonate, preferentially an alkali hydroxide or an alkali carbonate, such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide at temperatures ranging from −80° C. to +150° C., preferentially at temperatures ranging from −40° C. to +40° C.

[0087] The compounds of formula I may also be prepared by reaction of an amino acid derivative of formula VI wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A are as defined for formula I with a sulfonyl halide or a sulfinyl halide of formula V wherein R₁ and n are as defined for formula I and X is halide, preferentially chlorine or bromine (step C). The reaction is performed in the same manner as described for step A.

[0088] The compounds of formula I may also be prepared by reaction of a phenol of formula VII wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are as defined for formula I with a compound of formula VIII wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A are as defined for formula I and Y is a leaving group like a halide such as a chloride or bromide or a sulfonic ester such as a tosylate, mesylate or triflate (step D).

[0089] The reaction may be performed in an inert solvent like aromatic, non-aromatic or halogenated hydrocarbons, such as chlorohydrocarbons e.g. dichloromethane or toluene; ketones e.g. acetone or 2-butanone; esters, e.g. ethyl acetate; ethers, e.g. diethylether, tert-butyl-methylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofurane, amides, e.g. dimethylformamide, nitriles, e.g. acetonitrile, alcohols, e.g. methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol or tert-butanol, sulfoxides e.g. dimethylsulfoxide or water. It is also possible to use mixtures of these solvents. The reaction is performed optionally in the presence of an organic or inorganic base like a tertiary amine, such as triethylamine, N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine, pyridine, N-methyl-piperidine or N-methyl-morpholine, like a metal hydroxide, a metal carbonate or a metal alkoxide, preferentially an alkali hydroxide, an alkali carbonate or an alkali alkoxide, such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium methoxide, potassium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium ethoxide, sodium tert-butoxide or potassium tert-butoxide at temperatures ranging from −80° C. to +200° C., preferentially at temperatures ranging from 0° C. to +120° C.

[0090] The compounds of formula Ia may also be prepared via formula IX wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈ and A are as defined for formula I by reacting of a phenol of formula VII wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are as defined for formula I with a compound of formula VIIIa wherein R₉, R₁₀ and A are as defined for formula I and Y is a leaving group like a halide such as a chloride or bromide or a sulfonic ester such as a tosylate, mesylate or triflate (step E).

[0091] The reaction is performed in the same manner as described for step D.

[0092] The compounds of formula Ia where R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆ and R₁₇ are hydrogen and A is as defined for formula I may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula IX with hydrogen. The reaction is performed in a solvent like ethers, e.g. diethylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, or like alcohols, e.g. methanol or ethanol, or water in the presence of transition metals or transition metal salts, e.g. nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum or rhodium, optionally in the presence of bases, e.g. ammonia, or in the presence of salts, e.g. barium sulfate, at temperatures ranging from −20° C. to +160° C. and at pressures ranging from 1 to 200 bar.

[0093] The compounds of formula Ib, where R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄ and R₁₆ are as defined for formula I, may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula X with hydrogen. The reaction is performed in a solvent like ethers, e.g. diethylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, or like alcohols, e.g. methanol or ethanol, or water in the presence of transition metals or transition metal salts, e.g. nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum or rhodium, optionally in the presence of bases, e.g. ammonia, or in the presence of salts, e.g. barium sulfate, at temperatures ranging from −20 to +160° C. and at pressures ranging from 1 to 200 bar (step H).

[0094] The compounds of formula X, where R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄ and R₁₆ are the same as defined for formula I, may also be prepared by reacting a phenol of formula VII wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are as defined for formula I with a compound of formula VIIIb wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₆ and A are defined for formula I and Y is a leaving group like halide such as chloride or bromide or a sulfonic ester such as tosylate, mesylate or triflate (step G). The reaction is performed in the same manner as described for step D.

[0095] aa) The Intermediate Amines of Formula III May be Obtained by One of the Following Processes:

[0096] Step 1 is the alkylation of a phenol with a compound of formula VIII. The reaction is performed in the same manner as described for procedure c).

[0097] Step 2 is the reaction of an aromatic aldehyde with nitromethane. This reaction is performed in a solvent like an organic carboxylic acids, e.g. acetic acid optionally in the presence of the ammonium salt of this carboxylic acid, e.g. ammonium acetate at temperatures ranging from 0° C. to +200° C.

[0098] Step 3 is the reduction of an unsaturated nitrogen-compound. This reaction is performed in a solvent like an ether, e.g. diethylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, or an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, with borohydride, with a boron-complex, e.g. the complex of borohydride with tetrahyrofuran, with an alkaliborohydride, with an alkalialuminiumhydride, e.g. lithiumaluminiumhydride, with aluminiumhydride, with an aluminiumalkoxyhydride or with hydrogen optionally in the presence of a transition metal, a transition metal salt or a transition metal complex, e.g. nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum or rhodium at temperatures ranging from −50° C. to +200° C.

[0099] Step 4 is the reaction of an aldehyde or a ketone of formula with hydroxylamine or with a salt of hydroxylamine. This reaction is performed in a solvent like an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, like an ether, e.g. diethylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, like an amide, e.g. dimethylformamide, or in water or in a mixture of these solvents optionally in the presence of an organic or inorganic base like a tertiary amine, e.g. triethylamine, like a heterocyclic compound containing nitrogen, e.g. pyridine, or like an alkalicarbonate, e.g. sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, at temperatures ranging from −20° C. to +150° C.

[0100] Step 5 is the exchange of hydroxy by cyanide. This reaction is performed in an organic solvent like an amide, e.g. dimethylformamide using a metal cyanide like an alkali cyanide, e.g. sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide, at temperatures ranging from 0° C. to +200° C.

[0101] Step 6 is the hydrolysis of an alkyl ester. This reaction is performed in a solvent like an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, like an ether, e.g. diethylether, dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, like a halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. dichloromethane, or water or in a mixture of these solvents optionally in the presence of an alkali hydroxide, e.g. lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, or optionally in the presence of an acid, e.g. hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid or trifluoroacetic acid at temperatures ranging from −20° C. to +160° C.

[0102] Step 7 is the reaction of a carboxylic acid or the activated form of this carboxylic acid with hydrogen azide or an azide-salt. An activated form of a carboxylic acid can be the acid halogenide, e.g. acid chloride, a symmetric or a mixed anhydride. Azide-salts can be alkali azides, e.g. sodium azide. The reaction is performed in a solvent like a hydrocarbon, e.g. toluene or xylene, like a halogenated hydrocarbon, e.g. chloroform, like an ether, e.g. dioxane, like a ketone, e.g. acetone or 2-butanone, like an alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol or tert-butanol, or water or in a mixture of these solvents optionally in the presence of an acid like an inorganic acid, e.g. sulfuric acid or hydrogen chloride at temperatures ranging from −40° C. to +200° C.

[0103] In a preferred form the compounds of formula XXVI are prepared starting from compounds of the formula XXV by applying step 5 and step 1 in the same pot.

[0104] bb) Amines of Formula VI can be Obtained by the Following Process:

[0105] Step 8 is the amidation of an BOC protected amino acid of formula XXI with an amine of formula XXII. The reaction is performed in the same manner as described for step A.

[0106] Step 9 is the alkylation of a phenol of formula XXIII with an compound of formula VIII. The reaction is performed in the same manner as described for step D.

[0107] Step 10 is the hydrolysis of a carbamate of formula XIX. The reaction is performed in a solvent like hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, like halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, like ketones, e.g. acetone, like esters, e.g. ethyl acetate, like ethers, e.g. dioxane or tetrahydrofuran, or like water or in mixtures of these solvents optionally in the presence of an organic acid like carboxylic acid, e.g. trifluoroacetic acid, or like a sulfonic acid, e.g. methanesulfonic acid or toluenesulfonic acid, or in the presence of an inorganic acid, e.g. hydrogen chloride or sulfuric acid, at temperatures ranging from −40° C. to +160° C.

[0108] The compounds of formula I are oils or solids at room temperature and are distinguished by valuable microbicidal properties. They can be used in the agricultural sector or related fields preventively and curatively in the control of plant-destructive microorganisms. The compounds of formula I according to the invention are distinguished at low rates of concentration not only by outstanding microbicidal, especially fungicidal, activity but also by being especially well tolerated by plants.

[0109] Surprisingly, it has now been found that the compounds of formula I have for practical purposes a very advantageous biocidal spectrum in the control of phytopathogenic microorganisms, especially fungi. They possess very advantageous curative and preventive properties and are used in the protection of numerous crop plants. With the compounds of formula I it is possible to inhibit or destroy phytopathogenic microorganisms that occur on various crops of useful plants or on parts of such plants (fruit, blossom, leaves, stems, tubers, roots), while parts of the plants which grow later also remain protected, for example, against phytopathogenic fungi.

[0110] The novel compounds of formula I prove to be effective against specific genera of the fungus class Fungi imperfecti (e.g. Cercospora), Basidiomycetes (e.g. Puccinia) and Ascomycetes (e.g. Erysiphe and Venturia) and especially against Oomycetes (e.g. Plasmopara, Peronospora, Pythium and Phytophthora). They therefore represent in plant protection a valuable addition to the compositions for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The compounds of formula I can also be used as dressings for protecting seed (fruit, tubers, grains) and plant cuttings from fungal infections and against phytopathogenic fungi that occur in the soil.

[0111] The invention relates also to compositions comprising compounds of formula I as active ingredient, especially plant-protecting compositions, and to the use thereof in the agricultural sector or related fields.

[0112] In addition, the present invention includes the preparation of those compositions, wherein the active ingredient is homogeneously mixed with one or more of the substances or groups of substances described herein. Also included is a method of treating plants which is distinguished by the application of the novel compounds of formula I or of the novel compositions.

[0113] Target crops to be protected within the scope of this invention comprise, for example, the following species of plants: cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice, maize, sorghum and related species); beet (sugar beet and fodder beet); pomes, stone fruit and soft fruit (apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries); leguminous plants (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans); oil plants (rape, mustard, poppy, olives, sunflowers, coconut, castor oil plants, cocoa beans, groundnuts); cucurbitaceae (marrows, cucumbers, melons); fibre plants (cotton, flax, hemp, jute); citrus fruit (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins); vegetables (spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, paprika); lauraceae (avocado, cinnamon, camphor) and plants such as tobacco, nuts, coffee, sugar cane, tea, pepper, vines, hops, bananas and natural rubber plants, and also ornamentals.

[0114] The compounds of formula I are normally used in the form of compositions and can be applied to the area or plant to be treated simultaneously or in succession with other active ingredients. Those other active ingredients may be fertilisers, micronutrient donors or other preparations that influence plant growth. It is also possible to use selective herbicides or insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, nematicides, molluscicides or mixtures of several of those preparations, if desired together with further carriers, surfactants or other application-promoting adjuvants customarily employed in formulation technology.

[0115] The compounds of formula I can be mixed with other fungicides, resulting in some cases in unexpected synergistic activities.

[0116] Mixing components which are particularly preferred are azoles such as azaconazole, bitertanol, propiconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, cyproconazole, epoxiconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imazalil, imibenconazole, ipconazole, tebuconazole, tetraconazole, fenbuconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil, perfurazoate, penconazole, bromuconazole, pyrifenox, prochloraz, triadimefon, triadimenol, triflumizole or triticonazole; pyrimidinyl carbinoles such as ancymidol, fenarimol or nuarimol; 2-amino-pyrimidine such as bupirimate, dimethirimol or ethirimol; morpholines such as dodemorph, fenpropidin, fenpropimorph, spiroxamin or tridemorph; anilinopyrimidines such as cyprodinil, pyrimethanil or mepanipyrim; pyrroles such as fenpiclonil or fludioxonil; phenylamides such as benalaxyl, furalaxyl, metalaxyl, R-metalaxyl, ofurace or oxadixyl; benzimidazoles such as benomyl, carbendazim, debacarb, fuberidazole or thiabendazole; dicarboximides such as chlozolinate, dichlozoline, iprodine, myclozoline, procymidone or vinclozolin; carboxamides such as carboxin, fenfuram, flutolanil, mepronil, oxycarboxin or thifluzamide; guanidines such as guazatine, dodine or iminoctadine; strobilurines such as azoxystrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, SSF-129, methyl 2-[(2-trifluoromethyl)-pyrid-6-yloxymethyl]-3-methoxyacrylate or 2-[α{[(α-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)imino]-oxy}-o-tolyl]-glyoxylic acid-methylester-O-methyloxime; dithiocarbamates such as ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb or ziram; N-halomethylthio-dicarboximides such as captafol, captan, dichlofluanid, fluoromide, folpet or tolyfluanid; copper compounds such as Bordeaux mixture, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, cuprous oxide, mancopper or oxine-copper; nitrophenol derivatives such as dinocap or nitrothal-isopropyl; organo phosphorous derivatives such as edifenphos, iprobenphos, isoprothiolane, phosdiphen, pyrazophos or toclofos-methyl; and other compounds of diverse structures such as acibenzolar-S-methyl, anilazine, blasticidin-S, chinomethionat, chloroneb, chlorothalonil, cymoxanil, dichlone, diclomezine, dicloran, diethofencarb, dimethomorph, dithianon, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenamidone, fentin, ferimzone, fluazinam, flusulfamide, fenhexamid, fosetyl-aluminium, hymexazol, kasugamycin, methasulfocarb, pencycuron, phthalide, polyoxins, probenazole, propamocarb, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, quintozene, sulfur, triazoxide, tricyclazole, triforine or validamycin.

[0117] Suitable carriers and surfactants may be solid or liquid and correspond to the substances ordinarily employed in formulation technology, such as e.g. natural or regenerated mineral substances, solvents, dispersants, wetting agents, tackifiers, thickeners, binders or fertilisers. Such carriers and additives are described, for example, in WO 95/30651.

[0118] A preferred method of applying a compound of formula I, or an agrochemical composition comprising at least one of those compounds, is application to the foliage (foliar application), the frequency and the rate of application depending upon the risk of infestation by the pathogen in question. The compounds of formula I may also be applied to seed grains (coating) either by impregnating the grains with a liquid formulation of the active ingredient or by coating them with a solid formulation.

[0119] The compounds of formula I are used in unmodified form or, preferably, together with the adjuvants conventionally employed in formulation technology, and are for that purpose advantageously formulated in known manner e.g. into emulsifiable concentrates, coatable pastes, directly sprayable or dilutable solutions, dilute emulsions, wettable powders, soluble powders, dusts, granules, and by encapsulation in e.g. polymer substances. As with the nature of the compositions, the methods of application, such as spraying, atomising, dusting, scattering, coating or pouring, are chosen in accordance with the intended objectives and the prevailing circumstances.

[0120] Advantageous rates of application are normally from 1 g to 2 kg of active ingredient (a.i.) per hectare (ha), preferably from 10 g to 1 kg a.i./ha, especially from 25 g to 750 g a.i./ha. When used as seed dressings, rates of from 0.001 g to 1.0 g of active ingredient per kg of seed are advantageously used.

[0121] The formulations, i.e. the compositions, preparations or mixtures comprising the compound(s) (active ingredient(s)) of formula I and, where appropriate, a solid or liquid adjuvant, are prepared in known manner, e.g. by homogeneously mixing and/or grinding the active ingredient with extenders, e.g. solvents, solid carriers and, where appropriate, surface-active compounds (surfactants).

[0122] Further surfactants customarily used in formulation technology will be known to the person skilled in the art or can be found in the relevant technical literature.

[0123] The agrochemical compositions usually comprise 0.01 to 99% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 95% by weight, of a compound of formula 1, 99.99 to 1% by weight, preferably 99.9 to 5% by weight, of a solid or liquid adjuvant, and 0 to 25% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 25% by weight, of a surfactant.

[0124] Whereas commercial products will preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user will normally employ dilute formulations.

[0125] The compositions may also comprise further ingredients, such as stabilisers, antifoams, viscosity regulators, binders and tackifiers, as well as fertilisers or other active ingredients for obtaining special effects.

[0126] The Examples which follow illustrate the invention described above, without limiting the scope thereof in any way. Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES FOR COMPOUNDS OF FORMULA I Example A1.1 (S)-2-Ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide

[0127]

[0128] To a mixture of (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-3-methyl-butyric acid (0.7 g), 2-{4-[3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethylamine (1.0 g) and diethyl-isopropylamine (1.2 ml) in dimethylformamide (30 ml) is added benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (1.5 g) in one portion. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. Water (200 ml) is then added. It is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 ml). The organic layers are washed with brine (2×200 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue is purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane 2:1) and recrystallisation (ethyl acetate/hexane). Pure (S)-2-ethanesulfonyl-amino-N-(2-{4-[3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide is obtained, m.p. 107-111° C.

[0129] According to example A1.1 the compounds listed in Table 1 are obtained. TABLE A1:

No R₁ R₃ *) CR₉R₁₀—CR₁₄R₁₅—CR₁₆R₁₇—A m.p. (° C.) A1.01 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-F—Ph) 107-111 A1.02 C₂H₅ —CH₂—CH≡CH₂ (R, S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 98-99 A1.03 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃—Ph 102-103 A1.04 C₂H₅ —CH₂—C≡CH (R, S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 123-125 A1.05 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-i (R, S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 109-110 A1.06 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 134-136 A1.07 CH₃ C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃—Ph Oil A1.08 CH₃ C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-F—Ph) 125-127 A1.09 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-n (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-F—Ph) 124-126 A1.10 C₂H₅ C₂H₅ (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-F—Ph) 114-116 A1.11 C₂H₅ C₃H₅-cycl (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 119-120 A1.12 C₂H₅ C₄H₉-s (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 120-122

[0130] *) Configuration on the α-C-atom in the amino acid moiety

Example A2.0 (S)-2-Ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{3-methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propoxy]-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide

[0131]

[0132] A mixture of (S)-2-ethanesulfonylamino-N-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-methyl-butyramide (2.1 g), 1-(3-chloro-propenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-benzene (2.0 g) and sodium methoxide (12 ml 1M solution in methanol) in methanol (50 ml) is heated to reflux for 4 hours. Upon cooling water (500 ml) is added. It is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×400 ml). The organic layers are washed with brine (150 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) and hydrogenated over palladium (5% on charcoal, 0.14 g) at room temperature and normal pressure. The reaction mixture is filtered. The filtrate is evaporated. (S)-2-Ethanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{3-methoxy-4-[3-(3-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl)-propoxy]-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide is obtained, m.p. 119-120° C.

[0133] According to example A2.01 the compounds listed in Table A2 are obtained. TABLE A2

No R₁ R₂ R₃ *) CR₉R₁₀R₁₁ m.p. (° C.) A2.01 C₂H₅ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(3-CF₃—Ph) 119-120 A2.02 CH₃ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(3-CF₃—Ph) 94-95 A2.03 (CH₃)₂N H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(3-CF₃—Ph) 89-91 A2.04 C₂H₅ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(2-F—Ph) 97-99 A2.05 CH₃ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(2-F—Ph) 101-102 A2.06 C₂H₅ H C₂H₅ (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 118-120 A2.07 C₂H₅ H C₃H₇-n (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 112-115 A2.08 C₂H₅ —(CH₂)₄— — —(CH₂)₃—Ph 117-118 A2.09 (CH₃)₂N H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(2-F—Ph) 92-95 A2.10 C₂H₅ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Br—Ph) 129-131 A2.11 C₂H₅ H CH(OH)—CH₃ (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 112-115 A2.12 CH₃ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(3,4-di-Cl—Ph) 126-128 A2.13 C₂H₅ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(3,4-di-Cl—Ph) 115-117 A2.14 (CH₃)₂N H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(3,4-di-Cl—Ph) 117-119 A2.15 (CH₃)₂N H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Br—Ph) 128-130 A2.16 CH₃ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(1-Naphthyl) resin A2.17 C₂H₅ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(1-Naphthyl) resin

Example A3.01 (S)-2-Methanesulfonylamino-N-(2-{3-methoxy-4-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide

[0134]

[0135] A mixture of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol (76.1 g) and sodium cyanide (19.9 g) in dimethylformamide (250 ml) is stirred under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 3 hours at +120° C. The reaction mixture is cooled to +90° C. and 1-chloro-4-(3-chloro-propenyl)-benzene is added. The mixture is stirred at said temperature for 2 hours. After cooling it is poured into water (1000 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×500 ml). The organic layers are washed with brine (2×500 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue is purified by flash column chromatography using silica gel and ethyl acetate/hexane (1:3). The product obtained is dissolved in methanol (400 ml) and hydrogenated over Raney-cobalt at +40° C. and 100 bar. Water (300 ml) and ethyl acetate (200 ml) are added. After filtration the reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×500 ml). The organic layers are washed with brine (2×200 ml), dried (K₂CO₃) and evaporated. 2-{4-[3-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-allyloxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethylamine is obtained.

[0136] BOC-L-Valine (31.4 g) and N-methylmorpholine (15.9 ml) are dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) and cooled to −20° C. Isobutyl chloroformate (18.9 ml) is added dropwise during 20 minutes. The resulting mixture is stirred for 15 min and allowed to warm to −7° C. It is then cooled again to −20° C. and a solution of 2-{4-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-allyloxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethylamine (41.7 g) in tetrahydrofuran (150 ml) is added dropwise during 40 min. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature during 4 hours. 1M Hydrochloric acid (500 ml) is added carefully. It is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×500 ml). The organic layers are washed with 1M hydrochloric acid (500 ml) and brine (500 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (500 ml) and hydrogenated over palladium (5% on charcoal, 0.14g) at room temperature and normal pressure. The reaction mixture is filtered and evaporated. The residue is dissolved in dioxane (130 ml) and added dropwise to 4M sulfuric acid (650 ml). The resulting mixture is stirred for 8 hours at +50° C. After cooling it is extracted with diethyl ether (2×1000 ml). The aqueous phase is saturated with potassium carbonate and then extracted with diethyl ether (2×1500 ml). The organic layers are dried (K₂CO₃) and evaporated. (S)-2-Amino-N-(2-{4-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide is obtained. To (S)-2-amino-N-(2-{4-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-3-methoxy-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide (2 g) and triethylamine (0.9 ml) in dioxane (30 ml) is added methanesulfonyl chloride (0.4 ml). The reaction mixture is stirred overnight at room temperature. Water (200 ml) is then added. It is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×200 ml). The organic layers are washed with brine (2×200 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. (S)-2-Methanesulfonyl-aminoN-(2-{3-methoxy-4-[3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-propoxy]-phenyl}-ethyl)-3-methyl-butyramide is obtained.

[0137] According to example A3.01 the compounds listed in table A2 are obtained. TABLE A3

No R₁ R₂ R₃ *) CR₉R₁₀R₁₁ m.p. (° C.) A3.01 CH₃ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 128-130 A3.02 CH₂═C(CH₃)—CH₂ H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 120-123 A3.03 (CH₃)₂N H C₃H₇-i (S) —(CH₂)₃-(4-Cl—Ph) 117-119

Example B1.1 [3-Methoxy-4-(3-phenyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)-phenyl]-acetonitrile

[0138]

[0139] A mixture of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl alcohol (17.4 g) and sodium cyanide (6.6 g) in dimethylformamide (250 ml) is stirred under an atmosphere of nitrogen for 3 hours at +1 20° C. The mixture is then cooled to +60° C. and toluene-4-sulfonic acid 3-phenyl-prop-2-ynyl ester (39 g) in dimethylformamid (50 ml) is added during 5 minutes. It is stirred at +65° C. for another 4 hours. Upon cooling water (800 ml) is added. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate (2×500 ml). The organic phases are washed with brine (2×500 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue is purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane 1:3) and recrystallised from ethyl acetate/hexane. [3-Methoxy-4-(3-phenyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)-phenyl]-acetonitrile is obtained, m.p. 74-75° C.

[0140] Analogously to example B1.1 the compounds listed in table B1 are obtained.

[0141] Ph means phenyl TABLE B1

No A m.p. (° C.) B1.01 Ph 74-75 B1.02 4-Cl—Ph 108-109 B1.03 4-F—Ph oil

Example B2.1 2-[3-Methoxy-4-(3-phenyl-propoxy)-phenyl]-ethylamine

[0142]

[0143] A mixture of [3-methoxy-4-(3-phenyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)-phenyl]-acetonitrile (2.0 g), liquid ammonia (5 g) and Raney-nickel (1 g) in methanol (100 ml) is shaken in an autoclave under hydrogen (100 bar) at +70° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture is filtered and evaporated. 2-[3-Methoxy-4-(3-phenyl-propoxy)-phenyl]-ethylamine is obtained as an oil.

[0144] Analogously to example B2.1 the compounds listed in table B2 are obtained.

[0145] Ph means phenyl TABLE 2

No CR₉R₁₀CR₁₄R₁₅CR₁₆R₁₇—A m.p. (° C.) B2.01 —(CH₂)₃—Ph oil B2.02 —(CH₂)₃(4-Cl—Ph) oil B2.03 —(CH₂)₃—(4-F—Ph) oil

[0146] Analogously to the above Examples the following compounds of Tables 1 to 37 may be prepared. TABLE 1 Compounds represented by the Formula I.1 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₈, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

I.1

[0147] TABLE 2 Compounds represented by the Formula I.2 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

I.2

[0148] TABLE 3 Compounds represented by the Formula I.3 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

I.3

[0149] TABLE 4 Compounds represented by the Formula I.4 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

I.4

[0150] TABLE 5 Compounds represented by the Formula I.5 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇, and A corresponds to each row in table A.

I.5

[0151] TABLE 6 Compounds represented by the Formula I.6 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0152] TABLE 7 Compounds represented by the Formula I.7 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0153] TABLE 8 Compounds represented by the Formula I.8 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0154] TABLE 9 Compounds represented by the Formula I.9 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0155] TABLE 10 Compounds represented by the Formula I.10 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0156] TABLE 11 Compounds represented by the Formula I.11 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0157] TABLE 12 Compounds represented by the Formula I.12 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0158] TABLE 13 Compounds represented by the Formula I.13 wherein the combination of the groups R₁, R₃, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table A.

[0159] TABLE 14 Compounds represented by the Formula I.14 wherein the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

[0160] TABLE 15 Compounds represented by the Formula I.15 wherein the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

[0161] TABLE 16 Compounds represented by the Formula I.16 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.16

[0162] TABLE 16 Compounds represented by the Formula I.17 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.17

[0163] TABLE 18 Compounds represented by the Formula I.18 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.18

[0164] TABLE 19 Compounds represented by the Formula I.19 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.19

[0165] TABLE 20 Compounds represented by the Formula I.20 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.20

[0166] TABLE 21 Compounds represented by the Formula I.21 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.21

[0167] TABLE 22 Compounds represented by the Formula I.22 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₈, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.22

[0168] TABLE 23 Compounds represented by the Formula I.23 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.23

[0169] TABLE 24 Compounds represented by the Formula I.24 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.24

[0170] TABLE 25 Compounds represented by the Formula I.25 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.25

[0171] TABLE 26 Compounds represented by the Formula I.26 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.26

[0172] TABLE 27 Compounds represented by the Formula I.27 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.27

[0173] TABLE 28 Compounds represented by the Formula I.28 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.28

[0174] TABLE 29 Compounds represented by the Formula I.29 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.29

[0175] TABLE 30 Compounds represented by the Formula I.30 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.30

[0176] TABLE 31 Compounds represented by the Formula I.31 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.31

[0177] TABLE 32 Compounds represented by the Formula I.32 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.32

[0178] TABLE 33 Compounds represented by the Formula I.33 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.33

[0179] TABLE 34 Compounds represented by the Formula I.34 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.34

[0180] TABLE 35 Compounds represented by the Formula I.35 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R18, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B.

I.35

[0181] TABLE 36 Compounds represented by the Formula I.36 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B. I.36

[0182] TABLE 37 Compounds represented by the Formula I.37 where the combination of the groups R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A corresponds to each row in table B. I.37

No. R₁ R₃ CR₉R₁₀CR₁₄R₁₅CR₁₆R₁₇-A Table A: 001 CH₃ C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 002 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 003 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 004 C₃H₇-i C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 005 C₃H₇-n C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 006 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 007 H₂C═CH— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 008 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 009 CF₃ C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 010

C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 011 CH₃ C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 012 C₂H₅ C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 013 (CH₃)₂N— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 014 C₃H₇-i C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 015 C₃H₇-n C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 016 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 017 H₂C═CH— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 018 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 019 CF₃ C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 020

C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 021 CH₃ C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 022 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 023 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 024 C₃H₇-i C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 025 C₃H₇-n C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 026 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 027 H₂C═CH— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 028 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 029 CF₃ C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 030

C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 031 CH₃ C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 032 C₂H₅ C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 033 (CH₃)₂N— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 034 C₃H₇-i C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 035 C₃H₇-n C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 036 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 037 H₂C═CH— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 038 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 039 CF₃ C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 040

C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 041 CH₃ C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 042 C₂H₅ C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 043 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 044 C₃H₇-i C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 045 C₃H₇-n C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 046 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 047 H₂C═CH— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 048 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 049 CF₃ C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 050

C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 051 CH₃ CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 052 C₂H₅ CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 053 (CH₃)₂N— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 054 C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 055 C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 056 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 057 H₂C═CH— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 058 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 059 CF₃ CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 060

CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 061 CH₃ CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 062 C₂H₅ CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 063 (CH₃)₂N— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 064 C₃H₇-i CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 065 C₃H₇-n CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 066 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 067 H₂C═CH— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 068 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 069 CF₃ CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 070

CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 071 CH₃ C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 072 C₂H₅ C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 073 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 074 C₃H₇-i C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 075 C₃H₇-n C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 076 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 077 H₂C═CH— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 078 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 079 CF₃ C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 080

C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 081 CH₃ H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 082 C₂H₅ H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 083 (CH₃)₂N— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 084 C₃H₇-i H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 085 C₃H₇-n H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 086 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 087 H₂C═CH— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 088 CH₃—SO₂—CH— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 089 CF₃ H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 090

H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 091 CH₃ H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 092 C₂H₅ H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 093 (CH₃)₂N— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 094 C₃H₇-i H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 095 C₃H₇-n H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 096 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 097 H₂C═CH— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 098 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 099 CF₃ H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 100

H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 101 CH₃ HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 102 C₂H₅ HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 103 (CH₃)₂N— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 104 C₃H₇-i HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 105 C₃H₇-n HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 106 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 107 H₂C═CH— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 108 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 109 CF₃ HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 110

HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 111 CH₃ C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 112 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 113 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 114 C₃H₇-i C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 115 C₃H₇-n C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 116 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 117 H₂C═CH— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 118 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 119 CF₃ C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 120

C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 121 CH₃ C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 122 C₂H₅ C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 123 (CH₃)₂N— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 124 C₃H₇-i C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 125 C₃H₇-n C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 126 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 127 H₂C═CH— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 128 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 129 CF₃ C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 130

C₂H₅ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 131 CH₃ C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 132 C₂H₅ C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 133 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 134 C₃H₇-i C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 135 C₃H₇-n C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 136 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 137 H₂C═CH— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 138 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 139 CF₃ C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 140

C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 141 CH₃ C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 142 C₂H₅ C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 143 (CH₃)₂N— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 144 C₃H₇-i C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 145 C₃H₇-n C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 146 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 147 H₂C═CH— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 148 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 149 CF₃ C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 150

C₄H₉-s CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 151 CH₃ C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 152 C₂H₅ C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 153 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 154 C₃H₇-i C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 155 C₃H₇-n C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 156 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 157 H₂C═CH— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 158 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 159 CF₃ C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 160

C₃H₅-cycl CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 161 CH₃ CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 162 C₂H₅ CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 163 (CH₃)₂N— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 164 C₃H₇-i CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 165 C₃H₇-n CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 166 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 167 H₂C═CH— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 168 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 169 CF₃ CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 170

CH₂—CH═CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 171 CH₃ CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 172 C₂H₅ CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 173 (CH₃)₂N— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 174 C₃H₇-i CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 175 C₃H₇-n CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 176 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 177 H₂C═CH— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 178 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 179 CF₃ CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 180

CH₂—C≡CH CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 181 CH₃ C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 182 C₂H₅ C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 183 (CH₃)₂N— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 184 C₃H₇-i C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 185 C₃H₇-n C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 186 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 187 H₂C═CH— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 188 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 189 CF₃ C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 190

C₃H₅-cycl-CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 191 CH₃ H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 192 C₂H₅ H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 193 (CH₃)₂N— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 194 C₃H₇-i H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 195 C₃H₇-n H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 196 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 197 H₂C═CH— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 198 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 199 CF₃ H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 200

H₃C—CH₂(OH)— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 201 CH₃ H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 202 C₂H₅ H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 203 (CH₃)₂N— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 204 C₃H₇-i H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 205 C₃H₇-n H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 206 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 207 H₂C═CH— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 208 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 209 CF₃ H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 210

H₃C—S—CH₂—CH₂— CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 211 CH₃ HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 212 C₂H₅ HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 213 (CH₃)₂N— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 214 C₃H₇-i HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 215 C₃H₇-n HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 216 ClH₂C—CH₂—CH₂— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 217 H₂C═CH— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 218 CH₃—SO₂—CH₂— HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 219 CF₃ HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 220

HS—CH₂ CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) Table B: No. CR₉R₁₀CR₁₄R₁₅CR₁₆R₁₇-A 001 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—Ph 002 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Br—Ph) 003 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-CH₃—Ph) 004 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Ph—Ph) 005 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-CN—Ph) 006 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Et—Ph) 007 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-NO₂—Ph) 008 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—[4-(CH₂═CH)—Ph] 009 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-H₅C₂—Ph) 010 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-CH₃O—Ph) 011 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—[4-(O—CH₂—CH═CH₂)—Ph] 012 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-OCF₃—Ph) 013 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-CH₃S—Ph) 014 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-CF₃S—Ph) 015 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—[4-(CH₃—SO₂)—Ph] 016 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂[4-(CH₃—CO)—Ph] 017 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—[4-(CH₃)₂N—Ph] 018 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—[4-(CH₃OOC)—Ph] 019 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3-Cl—Ph) 020 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3-F—Ph) 021 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3-Br—Ph) 022 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3-CH₃—Ph) 023 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3,4-di-F—Ph) 024 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3,4-di-Cl—Ph) 025 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3,4-di-CH₃—Ph) 026 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(3-Cl-4-F—Ph) 027 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl-3-F—Ph) 028 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(2,4-di-Cl—Ph) 029 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(2,5-di-Cl—Ph) 030 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(2-Cl—Ph) 031 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl-2-F—Ph) 032 CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—(2,4,5-tri-Cl—Ph) 033 CH(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 034 CH(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 035 CH(C₂H₅)—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 036 CH(C₂H₅)—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 037 CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 038 CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 039 CH₂—CH₂—CH(C_(H3))—(4-F—Ph) 040 CH₂—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—(4-Cl—Ph) 041 C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 042 C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph) 043 CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—(4-F—Ph) 044 CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—(4-Cl—Ph)

[0183] Formulations may be prepared analogously to those described in, for example, WO 95/30651.

Biological Examples

[0184] D-1: Action Against Plasmopara viticola on Vines

[0185] a) Residual-Protective Action

[0186] Vine seedlings are sprayed at the 4- to 5-leaf stage with a spray mixture (0.02% active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After 24 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation for 6 days at 95-100% relative humidity and 20° C.

[0187] b) Residual-Curative Action

[0188] Vine seedlings are infected at the 4- to 5-leaf stage with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. After incubation for 24 hours in a humidity chamber at 95-100% relative humidity and 20° C., the infected plants are dried and sprayed with a spray mixture (0.02% active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After the spray coating has dried, the treated plants are placed in the humidity chamber again. Fungus infestation is evaluated 6 days after infection.

[0189] Compounds of Tables 1 to 37 exhibit a good fungicidal action against Plasmopara viticola on vines. Compounds A1.01, A1.03, A1.04, A1.05, A1.06, A1.07, A1.08, A1.09, A1.10, A1.11, A1.12. A2.04, A2.05 and A2.06 completely inhibit fungal infestation in this test.

[0190] D-2: Action Against Phytophthora on Tomato Plants

[0191] a) Residual-Protective Action

[0192] After a cultivation period of 3 weeks, tomato plants are sprayed with a spray mixture (0.02% active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After 48 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 5 days at 90-100% relative humidity and 20° C.

[0193] b) Systemic Action

[0194] After a cultivation period of 3 weeks, tomato plants are watered with a spray mixture (0.02% active ingredient based on the volume of the soil) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. Care is taken that the spray mixture does not come into contact with the parts of the plants that are above the ground. After 96 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 4 days at 90-100% relative humidity and 20° C.

[0195] Compounds of Tables 1 to 37 exhibit a long-lasting effect against fungus infestation. Compounds A1.01, A.1.03, A.1.04, A.1.05, A.1.06, A.1.07, A.1.08, A.1.09, A1.10, A1.11, A1.12. A2.04, A2.05 and A2.06 completely inhibit fungal infestation in this test.

[0196] D-3: Action Against Phytophthora on Potato Plants

[0197] a) Residual-Protective Action

[0198] 2-3 week old potato plants (Bintje variety) are sprayed with a spray mixture (0.02% active ingredient) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. After 48 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 4 days at 90-100% relative humidity and 20° C.

[0199] b) Systemic Action

[0200] 2-3 week old potato plants (Bintje variety) are watered with a spray mixture (0.02% active ingredient based on the volume of the soil) prepared from a wettable powder formulation of the test compound. Care is taken that the spray mixture does not come into contact with the parts of the plants that are above the ground. After 48 hours, the treated plants are infected with a sporangia suspension of the fungus. Fungus infestation is evaluated after incubation of the infected plants for 4 days at 90-100% relative humidity and 20° C. Fungal infestation is effectively controlled with compounds of Tables 1 to 37. Compounds A1.01 and A1.06 completely inhibit fungal infestation in this test. 

What is claimed is:
 1. α-Sulfin- and α-sulfonamino acid amides of formula I

including the optical isomers thereof and mixtures of such isomers, wherein n is a number zero or one; R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkyl substituted with C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄alkylthio, C₁-C₄alkylsulfonyl, C₃-C₈cycloalkyl, cyano, C₁-C₆alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₆alkenyloxycarbonyl or C₃-C₆alkynyloxycarbonyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, or together are tetra- or penta-methylene; R₂ and R₃ are each independently hydrogen; C₁-C₈alkyl; C₁-C₈alkyl substituted with hydroxy, mercapto, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄alkylthio; C₃-C₈alkenyl; C₃-C₈alkynyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄alkyl; or the two groups R₂ and R₃ together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded form a three- to eight-membered hydrocarbon ring; R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl; R₈ is C₁-C₆alkyl, C₃-C₆alkenyl or C₃-C₆alkynyl; R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆ and R₁₇ are each independently hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl; A is optionally substituted phenyl.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₁-C₁₂alkyl substituted with C₁-C₄alkoxy, C₁-C₄alkylthio, or C₁-C₄alkylsulfonyl; C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₂-C₁₂alkynyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl, or together are tetra- or penta-methylene; and R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₁-C₈alkyl; C₁-C₈alkyl substituted with hydroxy, mercapto, C₁-C₄alkoxy or C₁-C₄alkylthio; C₃-C₈alkenyl; C₃-C₈alkynyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl; C₃-C₈cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄alkyl; and R₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen.
 3. A compound of formula I according to claim 1 wherein n is one; and R₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl; C₁-C₁₂haloalkyl; or a group NR₁₂R₁₃ wherein R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each independently of the other hydrogen or C₁-C₆-alkyl; and R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₁-C₄alkyl; C₃-C₄alkenyl or cyclopropyl; and R₄ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; and R₈ is C₁-C₆alkyl.
 4. A compound of formula I according to claim 1 wherein n is one; and R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl, C₂-C₄alkenyl; C₁-C₄haloalkyl; or C₁-C₂-dialkylamino; and R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is C₃-C₄alkyl; allyl or cyclopropyl; and R₄ is hydrogen or methyl and R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; and R₈ is methyl or ethyl.
 5. A compound of formula I according to claim 1 wherein n is one; and R₁ is C₁-C₄alkyl, vinyl; C₁-C₄haloalkyl; or dimethylamino; and R₂ is hydrogen and R₃ is isopropyl; and R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen; and R₈ is methyl.
 6. A compound of formula I according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each independently hydrogen or methyl; and A is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl, C₂-C₈-alkynyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl, C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-C₁-C₄-alkyl wherein the hydrogens of all the preceding substituents may be in turn optionally substituted by one or several same or different halogens; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₃-C₈-alkenyloxy; C₃-C₈-alkynyloxy; C₁-C₈-alkoxy-C₁-C₄-alkyl; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; C₁-C₈-alkylsulfonyl; formyl; C₂-C₈-alkanoyl; hydroxy; halogen; cyano; nitro; amino; C₁-C₈-alkylamino; C₁-C₈-dialkylamino; carboxy; C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl; C₁-C₈-alkenyloxycarbonyl or C₁-C₈-alkynyloxycarbonyl.
 7. A compound of formula I according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each hydrogen; and A is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl, C₂-C₈-alkenyl wherein the hydrogens of all the preceding substituents may be in turn optionally substituted by one or several same or different halogens; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; halogen; cyano; nitro or C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl.
 8. A compound of formula I according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ are each hydrogen; and A is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents selected from C₁-C₈-alkyl; C₁-C₈-haloalkyl; C₁-C₈-alkoxy; C₁-C₈halogenalkoxy; C₁-C₈-alkylthio; C₁-C₈-halogenalkylthio; halogen; cyano; nitro or C₁-C₈-alkoxycarbonyl.
 9. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula I according to claim 1, which comprises reacting a) an amino acid of formula II or a carboxy-activated derivative thereof

wherein R₁, n, R₂ and R₃ are as defined for formula I is reacted with an amine of formula III

wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A are as defined for formula I optionally in the presence of a base and optionally in the presence of a diluting agent, or b) an amino acid derivative of formula VI

wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A are as defined for formula I with a sulfonyl halide or a sulfinyl halide of formula V

wherein R₁ and n are as defined for formula I and X is halide, preferentially chlorine or bromine, or c) a phenol of formula VII

wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are as defined for formula I with a compound of formula VIII

wherein R₉, R₁₀, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆, R₁₇ and A are as defined for formula I and Y is a leaving group like a halide such as a chloride or bromide or a sulfonic ester such as a tosylate, mesylate or triflate.
 10. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula Ia

wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉ and A are defined in claim 1 for formula I which comprises reacting a compound of formula IX

wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀ and A are defined for formula I with hydrogen.
 11. A composition for controlling and protecting against phytopathogenic microorganisms, comprising a compound of formula I according to claim 1 as active ingredient together with a suitable carrier.
 12. The use of a compound of formula I according to claim 1 in protecting plants against infestation by phytopathogenic microorganisms.
 13. A method of controlling and preventing an infestation of crop plants by phytopathogenic microorganisms, which comprises the application of a compound of formula I according to claim 1 as active ingredient to the plant, to parts of plants or to the locus thereof.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the phytopathogenic microorganisms are fungal organisms. 